Authorities ask public for help in search for missing Macoupin County woman

Staff report

Friday

Feb 9, 2018 at 9:22 PMFeb 10, 2018 at 2:27 PM

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is asking for the public’s help this weekend in the ongoing search for Denita Hedden, the 37-year-old Royal Lake woman who disappeared Jan. 25.

The special unit, which was brought in at the request of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, spent much of the past week searching 35 square miles in southern Macoupin County. The search included more than 22,400 acres of rural terrain and 70 miles of roads. Air and ground searches continued into the late evening hours Friday.

In a press release issued Friday, the major case squad said the facts and circumstances surrounding Hedden’s disappearance are suspicious. The release also said it’s important that Macoupin County property owners, farmers, and residents inspect their property for anything unusual that might help solve the case.

“Investigators implore local residents traveling county and rural roadways to report anything unusual they may encounter or observe,” the press release said.

The release added that authorities are reaching out to people who live near Royal Lake and also to people who live farther away in southern Macoupin County. Authorities also are asking people whose property may have already been searched by first responders to keep an eye out for anything unusual.

Hedden was last seen in the 700 block of Catalpa Avenue in Royal Lake about 11 p.m. Jan. 25. She is a white female, about 5 feet tall and weighs about 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a maroon Nike hoodie sweatshirt, blue jeans and brown boots and hoop earrings.

Authorities encourage anyone with information about Hedden to contact local police. People also can call the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis at (618) 585-3510; the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office at 854-3135, ext. 1, or Macoupin and Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at (800) 352-0136.

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